This page was last updated: 05/23/2010 10:25:16 PM

 

Classroom: 554

Class time: MW 1:30-2:45 pm

CHABOT COLLEGE

HIST 7-A05 SP10

Schedule/Syllabus

History of the United States to 1877

M. Irwin

Office Hours

Email: the_Irwinator@comcast.net

PLEASE NOTE:

This class moves fast. If you decide to enroll in and stay on the roster for this class, then I will assume that you accept its requirements: You agree to complete all the coursework and to take the tests via Blackboard (the school's portal for online testing).

You must attend every class session, as described more fully below, or risk having your access to Blackboard blocked. If you are already enrolled in the course, you can enter Blackboard now. To log in, go to http://clpccd.blackboard.com/ and follow the instructions.

 

REQUIRED READINGS:

REQUIRED: Roark, et al., THE AMERICAN PROMISE: A History of the United States to 1877, Vol. 1, 4th ed. (Boston: Bedford Books)

 

NOTE: PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR BOOK(S) AT THE Chabot BOOKSTORE. THAT WAY YOU WILL BE SURE OF BUYING THE CORRECT BOOK(S) AND HAVING THEM BEFORE ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE!

Recommended Book:

Johnson, READING THE AMERICAN PAST VOL. I, 4th. ed. (Boston: Bedford Books)

American Promise website:  

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/roark4e/

[click on Online Study Guide]

 

This class covers the history of the United States from its colonial origins through the end of Reconstruction. Emphasis is on distinctively American patterns of political, economic, social, intellectual, and regional development. A special effort will be made to recognize the impact of gender, race, ethnicity, class, and region in shaping the American experience. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of the United States its colonial origins through the Reconstruction era; discuss the concepts of economic, social, and political order and their interaction in response to changing historical circumstances; and account for the variables of race, class, gender, ethnicity, and region in the experiences of different groups (including Native American, European, African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and other groups) as they shaped U.S. history.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT

VALUE

Total points possible

 

GRADE STRUCTURE

 

 

 

16 online multiple-choice exams

12 points each

192

 

272  - 230 points

A

 

 

16 online identification quizzes

5 points each 

80

 

229 - 204 points

B

 

 

      

 

203 - 176 points

C

 

 

TOTAL

 

272

 

175 - 149 points

D  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Academic Dishonesty:

 

I take a dim view of it. Students found guilty of dishonesty, including collaborating on exams, will be given a failing grade, suspended, or expelled. 

Attendance:

 

This is a face-to-face class. We will be meeting face to face an awful lot for the next 18 weeks, not counting Spring Break. I realize this is totally inconvenient. However, unless you are sick, you must attend class. To have an absence excused, you will need a personal doctor's excuse covering your date of absence.  If you miss roll call at the beginning of class, please see me.

If you accrue more than three unexcused absences, I will block your access to Blackboard. You will still be enrolled in the course. To avoid a failing grade, you must formally drop yourself through Admissions & Records.

Course Website:

 

For the most up-to-date information, check the online Schedule/Syllabus. In the event of conflict between the print syllabus and the online syllabus, go with the online syllabus. 

The Schedule/Syllabus is my own website for this course (www.Irwinator.com/7A05SP10.htm), which I manage and control. You should check that website daily for updated information--I use my website to communicate quickly with students.

The Schedule/Syllabus also includes links to chapter outlines for each of the chapters in your textbook. You do not have to read them. However, you might find the outlines, as well as the links to images and other materials, useful.

BLACKBOARD

 

You will be taking your exams via BLACKBOARD, Chabot's online course portal. It is very easy to access the exams on BLACKBOARD. Just go to the Chabot website at www.Chabot.edu, click on the link for BLACKBOARD, and follow the instructions. If you have any problems, please let me know.

American Promise website:

 

This website is managed by the publishers of our textbook, the American Promise. The publisher's website provides you with excellent study tools, including practice multiple choice exams and identification exams. 

The American Promise URL is:

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/roark4e/ [click on Online Study Guide]

Register to use the site by providing your email address and a password of your choice. Follow the system prompts thereafter. This website is an invaluable resource for all history students, and I encourage you to take advantage of it.

Grades:

 

You can "guesstimate" your final grade for this class at any time by adding up all of your points so far, computing the value of remaining coursework, and adding them together. Compare your estimated total to the grade structure above. This process will tell you how well you will have to do on the remaining exams to get the grade you need. If you can’t get the grade you need, DROP.

A note on grading: 

 

 

 

Every assignment counts towards your final point total, which will determine your final grade.  There is no averaging.  There is no curve.  Do not divide by 10. Do not multiply by the square root of Nebraska. Just add up your points.  The number of points you get will determine your final grade.

 

For the individual whose future happiness in life rides on the grade received in this class, please take note: Final grades depend solely on the student’s performance on the above-listed assignments. You have to do the work and take the tests. That is it.

 

No aspect of your personal life--e.g., merit raises at work, scholarships, an impending brilliant pro ball career--will have any impact on your final grade. Please plan your efforts accordingly.

Multiple Choice Exams 

 

There will be 16 Multiple-Choice Exams consisting of 12 questions per chapter. 

Please check BLACKBOARD and the online Syllabus/Schedule for test availability and submission deadlines. 

Ideally, you would like to get a score of 10/12 points or better on each MC Exam.

To prepare for the Multiple Choice Exams, read the assigned chapter (check the Schedule). Take notes while you are reading the textbook. Review your notes before you begin the exam.

Your best strategy is to read the question carefully and ELIMINATE WRONG CHOICES. The answer that is correct is usually correct only because there is nothing wrong with it, not because it is such a profound truth.

Taking Multiple Choice Exams on BLACKBOARD

 

All exams will be taken outside of class using Chabot’s online testing facility, BLACKBOARD.

The Multiple Choice Exams are TIMED. You get roughly two minutes per question. That is more than enough time to select an answer—but not quite enough time to look answers up. You only have one chance to take each exam so please be sure you are ready BEFORE you open the exam.

Multiple Choice Exams are set to deliver one question at a time. You are permitted to go back and review your answers—but I urge you NOT to change your answers! You must save each answer before moving to the next question. YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO SAVE ANSWERS AFTER YOUR TIME IS UP. YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO SAVE ANSWERS AFTER THE DEADLINE FOR TAKING THE EXAM HAS PASSED.

Take your time, work carefully but efficiently, and remember to SAVE your answers as you go. SAVE your answers as you go. SAVE your answers as you go.

If your score is 10 or better, you are in good shape to get an A in the class.

Identification Quizzes :

 

These mini-quizzes will test your familiarity with terms and concepts covered in the reading assignments. Identifications consist of roughly five terms per chapter that you will be required to identify. Note that many of these terms also appear on Multiple Choice Exams.

   

To study for these quizzes, use the American Promise website. On your first visit, you will register by providing your email address and a password of your choice. Follow the system prompts thereafter. Select the chapter you are studying and click on the link for “Identifications” and "Defining Terms." I use these terms when I make up my ID quizzes.

Make-Up Exams

 

You will be able to make up one or two missed exams on BLACKBOARD during the last week of class. Do not plan on waiting to take all of your exams during the last week—you will die.

For make-up exams, you will pay a 25% point penalty UNLESS you provide me with a personal medical excuse covering the exam due date. 

You cannot retake a exam (including "make up" exams) after your first try. You only get one chance to take each exam.

Virtual Office Hours:

 

I offer non-stop electronic office hours. You may reach me anytime by e-mail (the_Irwinator@comcast.net). Please include your name, course number and section in the RE: line – I delete every email I don’t recognize as coming from friend or student (you would not believe how much ‘hot teen action with farm animals’ type mail I get). My e-mail box is always open.

Point Penalties:

 

You can lose up to 20 points for rudeness. To those behaviors usually considered rude in polite society, please add my own personal pet peeves: playing with PDAs, arriving late, leaving early, chatting during lecture, eating during lecture, and--most annoying of all--cell phones and pagers with audible alarms. I’m thrilled that you have a personal life. Keep it to yourself.

Problems:

 

Stuff happens. Should it happen to you over the next few weeks and you find yourself unable to give adequate attention to the course, I hope you will let me know. I am reachable pretty much all the time via e-mail. I might be able to help, I might not--but you won’t know if you don’t talk to me. Despite all the mean, heartless things I said above, I do actually want you to enjoy and do well in this class.

                     

 SCHEDULE/SYLLABUS

 

WEEK

IMPORTANT DATES

THIS WEEK'S REQUIRED READINGS ("pp" refers to readings in the American Promise textbook)

WEEK 1--Jan 18 to Jan 24

Weds Jan 20

Introductions; instruction begins

WEEK 2—Jan 25 to Jan 31

Monday Jan 25

READING: Read Chapter 1 in your textbook. 

RECOMMENDED READING: Documents [Johnson, READING THE AMERICAN PAST VOL. I]  : Prologue [all]

LECTURE: Lecture 1 “Ancient America, Before 1492” 

Weds Jan 27

finish Lecture 1 “Ancient America, Before 1492” 

Multiple Choice Exam 1 ("MC1") is available 8:00 a.m. 1-25 and due by 11:45 pm Sunday Feb 7. You may submit it earlier.

Identification Exam 1 ("ID1") is available 8:00 a.m. 1-25 and due by 11:45 pm Sunday Feb 7. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 3--Feb 1 to Feb 7

 

Monday Feb 1

READING: Read Chapter 2 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING:  Documents : Sec. 2

Lecture 2 - "Europeans and the New World, 1492 – 1600”

MC2 is available 8:00 a.m. 2-1

ID2 is available 8:00 a.m. 2-1

Weds Feb 3

finish Chapter 2

MC 2 is due by 11:45 pm Sunday Feb 7. You may submit it earlier.

ID 2 is due by 11:45 pm Sunday Feb 7. You may submit it earlier.

Fri Feb 5

LAST DAY TO ADD OR DROP THIS CLASS NGR

Sun Feb 7

LAST DAY TO ADD OR DROP THIS CLASS NGR ONLINE

MC1 and MC 2 are due by 11:45 pm Sunday Feb 7. You may submit them earlier.

ID1 and ID 2 are due by 11:45 pm Sunday Feb 7. You may submit them earlier.

WEEK 4--Feb 8 to Feb 14

Mon Feb 8

Lecture 3 "The Southern Colonies in the Seventeenth Century, 1601-1700" 

 READING: Read Chapter 3 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 3

 MC3 is available 8:00 a.m. 2-8

ID3 is available 8:00 a.m. 2-8

Weds Feb 10

finish Chapter 3

MC3 is due by 11:45 pm Sun Feb 14. You may submit it earlier.

ID3 is due by 11:45 pm Sun Feb14. You may submit it earlier.

Sunday Feb 14

MC 3 is due by 11:45 pm Sunday Feb 14. You may submit it earlier.

ID 3 is due by 11:45 pm Sunday Feb 14. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 5--Feb 15 to Feb 21

Monday Feb 15

PRESIDENT’S DAY HOLIDAY—NO CLASS

Weds Feb 17

  

Fri Feb 19

Last Date to Drop with no W

WEEK 6--Feb 22 to Feb 28

Mon Feb 22

Chapter 4 - "The Northern Colonies in the Seventeenth Century, 1601-1700"

READING: Read Chapter 4 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 4

MC4 is available 8:00 a.m. Feb 22

ID4 is available 8:00 a.m. Feb 22

Weds Feb 24

finish Chapter 4

MC4 is due by 11:45 pm Feb 28. You may submit it earlier.

ID4 is due by 11:45 pm Feb 28. You may submit it earlier.

Sun Feb 28

MC4 is due by 11:45 pm Feb 28. You may submit it earlier.

ID4 is due by 11:45 pm Feb 28. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 7--Mar 1 to Mar 7

Mon Mar 1

LECTURE:  Chapter 5 - "Colonial America in the Eighteenth Century, 1701 - 1760" ; 

READING:  Read Chapter 5  in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 5  

MC5 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 1

ID5 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 1

Weds Mar 3

finish Chapter 5

MC5 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 7. You may submit it earlier.

ID5 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 7. You may submit it earlier.

Sun Mar 7

MC5 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 7. You may submit it earlier.

ID5 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 7. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 8--Mar 8 to Mar 14

Mon Mar 8

LECTURE: Chapter 6 “The British Empire and the Colonial Crisis, 1754 - 1775" 

READING:  Read Chapter 6 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 6  

MC6 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 8

ID6 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 8

Weds Mar 10

finish Chapter 6

MC6 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 14. You may submit it earlier.

ID6 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 14. You may submit it earlier.

Sun Mar 14

MC6 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 14. You may submit it earlier.

ID6 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 14. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 9--Mar 15 to Mar 21

 

Mon Mar 15

Chapter 7 - "The War for America, 1775 - 1783"; 

READING: Read Chapter 7 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 7

MC7 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 15

ID7 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 15

Weds Mar 17

Finish Chapter 7.

MC7 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 21. You may submit it earlier.

ID7 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 21. You may submit it earlier.

 Sun Mar 21

MC7 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 21. You may submit it earlier.

ID7 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 21. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 10--Mar 22 to Mar 28

 

Mon Mar 22

LECTURE:  Chapter 8 - "Building a Republic, 1775 - 1789"

READING: Read Chapter 8 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING:  Documents : Sec 8

MC8 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 22

ID8 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 22

Weds Mar 24

finish Chapter 8

MC8 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 28. You may submit it earlier.

ID8 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 28. You may submit it earlier.

 Sun Mar 28

MC8 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 28. You may submit it earlier.

ID8 is due by 11:45 pm Mar 28. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 11--Mar 29 to Apr 4

 

Mon Mar 29

LECTURE: Chapter 9 - "The New Nation Takes Form, 1789 - 1800." 

READING: Read Chapter 9 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 9

MC9 is available 8:00 a.m.  Mar 29

ID9 is available 8:00 a.m. Mar 29

Weds Mar 31

finish Chapter 9

MC9 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 4. You may submit it earlier.

ID9 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 4. You may submit it earlier.

 Sun Apr 4

MC9 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 4. You may submit it earlier.

ID9 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 4. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 12--Apr 5 to Apr 11 (Spring Break)

Mon Apr 5 –Weds Apr 7

SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES

WEEK 13--Apr 12 to Apr 18

Mon Apr 12

LECTURE: Chapter 10 - "Republican Ascendancy, 1800 – 1824”

READING: Read Chapter 10 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 10

ID 10 is available 8 am Apr 12

MC 10 is available 8 am Apr 12 

Weds Apr 14

finish Chapter 10

MC10 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 18. You may submit it earlier.

ID10 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 18. You may submit it earlier.

Fri Apr 16

Last day to drop with a W

 Sun Apr 18

 MC10 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 18. You may submit it earlier.

ID10 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 18. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 14--Apr 19 to Apr 25

Mon Apr 19

LECTURE: Chapter 11 "The Expanding Republic, 1815 - 1840";

READING: Read Chapter 11 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 11 

ID 11 is available 8 am Apr 19

MC 11 is available 8 am Apr 19 

Weds Apr 21

finish Chapter 11

MC11 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 25. You may submit it earlier.

ID11 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 25. You may submit it earlier.

Sun Apr 25

MC11 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 25. You may submit it earlier.

ID11 is due by 11:45 pm Apr 25. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 15--Apr 26 to May 2

Mon Apr 26

LECTURE: Chapter 12  "The Free North and West, 1840 – 1860”

READING: Read Chapter 12 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: .Documents : Sec 12 and Sec 12

ID 12 is available 8 am Apr 26

MC 12 is available 8 am Apr 26

Weds Apr 28

CHABOT CAMPUS FLEX DAY.

MC12 is STILL due by 11:45 pm May 2. You may submit it earlier.

ID12 is STILL due by 11:45 pm May 2. You may submit it earlier.

Fri Apr 30

Last Date to Drop with W

Sun May 2

MC12 is due by 11:45 pm May 2. You may submit it earlier.

ID12 is due by 11:45 pm May 2. You may submit it earlier.

WEEK 16--May 3 to May 9

Mon May 3

LECTURE:  Chapter 13  "The Slave South, 1820 - 1860"

READING: Read Chapters 13 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 13

ID 13 is available 8 am May 3

MC 13 is available 8 am May 3

Weds May 5

finish Chapter 13  

ID 13 is due by 11:45 pm May 9

MC 13 is due by 11:45 pm May 9

Sun, May 9

ID 13 is due by 11:45 pm May 9

MC 13 is due by 11:45 pm May 9

WEEK 17--May 10 to May 16

 

Mon May 10

LECTURE:  Chapter 14 "The House Divided, 1846 - 1861"

READING: Read Chapter 14 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 14

ID 14 is available 8 am May 10

MC 14 is available 8 am May 10

Weds May 12

finish Chapter 14

ID 14 is due by 11:45 pm May 16. You may submit it early.

MC 14 is due by 11:45 pm May 16. You may submit it early. 

 Sun May 16

ID 14 is due by 11:45 pm May 16. You may submit it early.

MC 14 is due by 11:45 pm May 16. You may submit it early. 

WEEK 18--May 17 to May 23

 

Mon May 17

LECTURE: Chapter 15 "The Crucible of War, 1861 - 1865" 

READING: Read Chapter 15 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 15  

ID 15 is available 8 am May 17

MC 15 is available 8 am May 17

Weds May 19

Miss Irwin is sick. Please finish reading Chapter 15 on your own.

ID 15 is still due by 11:45 pm May 23. You may submit it early.

MC 15 is still due by 11:45 pm May 23. You may submit it early.

 Sun May 23

 ID 15 is due by 11:45 pm May 23. You may submit it early.

MC 15 is due by 11:45 pm May 23. You may submit it early.

WEEK 19--May 24 to May 28 (Finals Week)

Mon May 24

12:00 - 1:50 pm [this is our final exam period, and our last class meeting]

LECTURE: Chapter 16 "Reconstruction, 1863 - 1877"

READING: Read Chapter 16 in your textbook. RECOMMENDED READING: Documents : Sec 16

ID 16 is available May 24

MC 16 is available May 24

Fri May 28

 Last day of Spring 2010

ID 16 is due Friday May 28

MC 16 is due Friday May 28

Your deadline for submitting any make up exam is 11:45 p.m. Friday May 28

 

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